|
QB
Reggie Ball |
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|
2005
Statistics |
Coach:
Chan Gailey
28-22,
4 years |
2005
Record: 7-5 |
|
at
Auburn |
WON
23-14 |
NORTH
CAROLINA |
WON
27-21 |
CONNECTICUT |
WON
28-13 |
at
Virginia Tech |
LOST
7-51 |
NC
STATE |
LOST
14-17 |
at
Duke |
WON
35-10 |
CLEMSON |
WON
10-9 |
WAKE
FOREST |
WON
30-17 |
at
Virginia |
LOST
17-27 |
at
Miami FL |
WON
14-10 |
GEORGIA |
LOST
7-14 |
EMERALD
BOWL |
vs.
Utah |
LOST
10-38 |
|
2005 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-24
|
2006
Outlook |
Chan
Gailey has only had modest success
in his four years at Tech (28-22 overall),
never earning more than seven wins
– well, that has actually been
the total number of victories each
of his years. He has NFL experience
and has worked on both sides of the
ball as an assistant. Still, with
his trailer hitched to talented-but-inconsistent
dual-threat QB Reggie Ball each of
the last three years, some stacked
Yellow Jacket squadrons have been
hampered by his signal-caller’s
potential never being fulfilled. Last
campaign, Ball shocked many by looking
good in leading GT to a 23-14 win
in the opener against Auburn, and
proved he can manage and win big games
(at times). But after suffering a
dismal 38-10 defeat to (non-BCS aligned)
Utah in the Emerald Bowl, many wonder
what ’06 will disseminate. A
win this year’s opener against
top-ranked Notre Dame – a home
date – would silence many, but
forget that premise two straight seasons.
More
likely, Tech rides its defense to
stay competitive against even the
best foes, but Ball just cannot be
relied upon to take Tech to any next
level(s). Their best bet is to limit
Ball’s throws and try to look
to the future with a chosen backup
(Bennett shows most promise after
hurling five TDs in final spring scrimmage).
Otherwise, all-American Calvin Johnson
will never truly reach his huge potential.
He is so good, all he has to do is
get the rock and he, along with a
talented WR corps, can carry this
team, as can an already-gelled OL
and tough set of big RBs. Really,
Ball could step up anytime and have
the huge impact he always promises,
but managing this talented group should
be his/their goal. The defense (ranked
in the top 25 nationally in most categories
in ’05) is good enough to hold
a lead if provided, but developments
at safety and MLB have to occur to
keep foes from exploiting the deep
middle. With so many special teams
issues, close games can go either
way, so there are just too many uncertain
variables to make us think this will
definitely be a big year in Atlanta.
Crucial
tilts with four ACC foes in five weeks
– starting in Blacksburg and
ending in Raleigh – will dictate
where the Ramblin’ Wreck wind
up, and the ender with their in-state
rival UGA (a game Gailey has never
won) could foretell whether Gailey
is even retained. The range of how
many wins Tech has by bowl time is
so vast that only watching this hugely
talented team will assure what they
do. We wish we knew, but they will
bring it each week and smack all in
the mouth before being ultimately
dispensed.
Projected
2006 record: 7-5
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|
GEORGIA
TECH
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 4 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 3 |
LB
- 3.5 |
WR
- 4 |
DB
- 2.5 |
OL
- 3.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Reggie Ball, 379-182-12, 2165 yds.,
11 TD
Rushing: Tashard Choice, 117
att., 513 yds., 6 TD
Receiving: Calvin Johnson,
54 rec., 888 yds., 6 TD
Scoring: Travis Bell, 11-21
FG, 27-27 PAT, 60 pts.
Punting: none
Kicking: Travis Bell, 11-21
FG, 27-27 PAT, 60 pts.
Tackles: KaMichael Hall, 64
tot., 38 solo; Philip Wheeler, 64
tot., 36 solo
Sacks: KaMichael Hall, Philip
Wheeler - 4 each
Interceptions: Philip Wheeler,
4 for 18 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Rashaun Grant,
11 ret., 22.6 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Pat Clark, 30 ret.,
6.4 avg., 0 TD
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|
CB
Kenny Scott |
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GEORGIA
TECH |
|
|
OFFENSE
- 9 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 5 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
P.J. Daniels-TB, Damarius Bilbo-WR,
Brad Honeycutt-OT |
DEFENSE:
Eric
Henderson-DE, Gerris Wilkinson-LB, Dennis
Davis-CB, Chris Reis-SS, Dawan Landry-FS,
Ben Arndt-P |
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2006
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
The
entire team’s destiny starts and ends
with how well Reggie Ball does in his final
season. He isn’t big and makes some
funky throws, but his abilities to run,
roll out and improvise have carried Tech
to victories against some major foes (in
2005, he beat Auburn, Clemson and ran for
the winning score versus Miami). The Stone
Mountain senior has learned to manage a
game adequately, but he still has consistency
problems and makes errant throws too often,
which ultimately cost. Still, this is the
hand the Yellow Jackets are again dealt,
so fans can only keep their fingers crossed
week to week. Taylor Bennett isn’t
quite Ball, and this dual-threat sophomore
is (for now) their next option. “Nothing
is etched in stone”, is how head coach
Chan Gailey’s approach could wriggle
either RS soph Kyle Manly or RS frosh Jonathan
Garner ahead of Taylor. Garner seems to
have an eerily similar quality to Ball –
“Sometimes Jonathan doesn’t
look pretty in practice, but every time
he gets into a scrimmage situation, he moves
the team.” Neither Buford-native Manly
nor Garner has real game reps under their
belts, but both had huge prep successes.
Still, Taylor saw the field (started versus
Connecticut and won 28-13) in ‘05,
so he “is a solid No.2 right now.”
Running
Back
Junior
Tashard Choice takes over the TB slot with
great promise after transferring from Oklahoma
(had unfortunate luck of being Adrian Peterson’s
backup, which likely meant little-to-no
playing time). From Riverdale, he came home
to apply his wares. Strong between the tackles
as well as having speed for taking corners,
he can also burn opposing defenses in the
flat. Classmate Rashaun Grant is just as
good a running/catching choice as Choice.
Grant proved his worth when he stepped in
and was voted to the freshman all-ACC second
team, so his rebound from last season’s
injury will bolster the ground game. FB
Mike Cox is a great lead inside and out,
but “Bull” needs to see more
rushing attempts to compliment his well-established
soft hands. Depth at FB isn’t as multi-dimensional
as Cox, but the TBs behind Choice and Grant
will keep the offense from skipping a beat
– especially true freshman Jamaal
Evans (Rivals No.6 RB in this year’s
class, he enrolled early to be at spring
drills and excelled). Any back will prosper
with Ball keeping defenders honest.
Receiver
Calvin
Johnson earned all-American status (second
team, AP – 2005; NationalChamps.net
- 2006) as a sophomore, and is too good
not to get even better. This Tyrone-native
catches anything and everything Ball throws
(accurately) his way, and guarantees any
QB’s completion rate to be 10% higher
(opposing secondaries have to put two men
on him, or else). At 6’4” and
235lbs, he can go underneath with the same
decimating effectiveness as when he goes
deep and wins jump balls. Sophomore James
Johnson (no relation) is smaller, but a
step faster. He should have a breakout year
with DBs concentrating on the other side.
Xavier McGuire, who is big like C. Johnson,
and Chris Dunlap, both seniors, are not
nearly as proven, but these two are the
primary depth and need to produce results
since they will be in so many one-on-one
situations, too. A trio of talent (especially
Martin Frierson) will provide quality depth,
enough such that last campaign’s fourth-leading
snarler, Pat Clark, has been moved to the
Tech secondary. Corey Earls, a true freshman,
looks like the fastest Yellow Jacket, so
don’t be surprised if this guy from
Macon also sees reps. Really, the only question
is whether Ball will be able to get all
involved.
Tight
End
George
Cooper and Mike Matthews are a couple of
Ohio-based seniors who can both block as
well as they go over the middle. Cooper
will likely remain the coaches’ main
choice play-in and play-out, but Matthews
cannot be ignored when inserted (mainly
in two-TE sets), though his huge size has
meant nagging injuries. Depth here exists
and is seasoned, but this position seems
to be under-utilized in the passing game
(only 12 catches combined).
Offensive
Line
Four
starters return and are joined by a converted
DE to form an underdog OL that will surprise
many. Mansfield Wrotto is a senior with
enough size, strength and mobility that
he will change sides of the ball with excellent
effect at right tackle. Andrew Gardner started
every game last campaign and was a first-team
freshman all-American in the process. Along
with Ball’s elusiveness, this left
tackle is the main reason Tech only suffered
10 sacks in ’05. A trio of experienced
juniors will make running inside (with their
200+ pound backs) a sure thing. C Kevin
Tuminello started every game in ’05
and his keen eye (ACC all-Academic) in calling
the blocking schemes is a major reason Tech
ranked third in the conference for rushing.
RG Nate McManus also started throughout
the 2005 term – he has proven his
freshman all-ACC status was no fluke. Matt
Rhodes had 15 knockdown blocks against rival
Georgia’s 13th ranked defense. These
three, along with Gardner, are all under
300lbs. and can get outside to protect Ball’s
improvising as well as pull-block. Four
other lettermen return with a bunch of talented
recruits to make this line deep and formidable.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
There
is too much talent at WR for Reggie Ball
to again hit under 50% of his tries (48%
in ’05) and think he has fulfilled
his potential. When Ball is on the ball,
he can lead Tech to wins against the nation’s
elite. But his streaky play has taken Tech
on too many weekly rollercoaster rides that
truly make fans (in a bad way) feel like
they are riding in a Ramblin’ Wreck.
But, often as not, just when foes think
Ball is having a poor game, he leads GT
down the field with his improvising. All-world
Calvin Johnson definitely has a job on Sundays
once he leaves, but we may never see his
potential fulfilled with Ball behind center
all year. The entire corps is talented and
just needs to have the “ball”
delivered. Inside running with their well-sized
backs and experienced line means sure yards,
so it is up to Ball to keep LBs honest in
coverage. Expect to see some of the other
QBs a bit more, seeing how one of them (likely
Bennett) will inherit the signal calling
duties. Their offensive depth and talent
levels mean Ball just has little excuse
(besides his own quality of play) not to
make the Yellow Jackets into a Top 25 team
by year’s end.
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WR
Calvin Johnson
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GEORGIA
TECH 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Reggie
Ball-Sr (5-11, 195) |
Taylor
Bennett-So (6-3, 215) |
FB |
Mike
Cox-Jr (6-1, 245) |
Justin
Guadagni-So (6-1, 232) |
TB |
Tashard
Choice-Jr (6-1, 205) |
Rashaun
Grant-Jr (5-10, 200) |
WR |
James
Johnson-So (6-0, 190) |
Chris
Dunlap-Sr (5-11, 200) |
WR |
Calvin
Johnson-Jr (6-4, 235) |
Xavier
McGuire-Sr (6-4, 215) |
TE |
George
Cooper-Sr (6-5, 260) |
Michael
Matthews-Sr (6-4, 270) |
OT |
Andrew
Gardner-So (6-6, 290) |
A.J.
Smith-So (6-7, 280) |
OG |
Matt
Rhodes-Jr (6-3, 285) |
LeShawn
Newberry-Jr (6-0, 320) |
C |
Kevin
Tuminello-Jr (6-4, 285) |
Trey
Dunmon-Fr (6-4, 285) |
OG |
Nate
McManus-Jr (6-3, 295) |
Jacob
Lonowski-So (6-5, 290) |
OT |
Mansfield
Wrotto-Sr (6-3, 210) |
Will
Miller-Fr (6-5, 290) |
K |
Travis
Bell-Jr (6-0, 210) |
David
Jordan-Sr (6-4, 210) |
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|
2006
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
The
shakeup here due to Wrotto switching to
offense should not hurt Tech’s 13th
ranked run stopping efforts. Junior end
Adamm Oliver and senior Joe Anoai are the
returning starters who will both lead this
line. Darrell Robertson will man the other
end slot, and should be able to pick up
the sack slack. With his 4.5 speed, this
Jonesboro-native can even drop into coverage
effectively so that Oliver can effectively
stay home to stop RBs or bull rush. Converted-TE
Mike Johnson (6’7”) is also
athletic to add depth in all dimensions.
DT Anoai penetrates well enough to make
his across-the-board efforts invaluable.
Darryl Richard was ready but had to be red-shirted
in ’05 due to a blown knee, and now
he returns at the other starting tackle
slot. This over-achieving soph started four
games as a freshman with amazing impact
and may turn out with the best stats of
any from this unit. Experienced sophomores
Vance Walker and Elris Anyaibe round out
the sub-300lb. insiders and will keep legs
fresh. (Lack of) size at tackle has not
been a negative thing, and the DL’s
overall speed is intimidating for both sideline-to-sideline
stopping as well as sack prowess.
Linebacker
Senior
KaMichael Hall is the leader of a corps
that, like the DTs, plays much bigger than
they seem. Hall does it all, making coverage
and open field tackles that mean he can
be left on an island as confidently as he
slips blocks. Only a sophomore, Philip Wheeler
is just as well-rounded. This Columbus-native
is just realizing his potential, so expect
even more (11.5 TFLs and four INTs) as his
upside compliments Hall to make Tech scary
good at stopping foes underneath. Junior
Gary Guyton has impressed enough as a top
backup to earn the middle slot. From Hinesville,
Guyton will be tested early when bigger
RBs run right at him, so weighing in at
230lbs. has to equal major stopping force.
He only bolsters Tech’s worthy coverage
schemes. Travis Chambers and Taalib Tucker
give this unit experience in the two-deep.
These guys, in any combo, epitomize the
gang tackling and the team play Tech will
again use to likely improve the front seven’s
performance. Most important will be their
speed for aiding GT’s decimated secondary
(see below).
Defensive
Back
Senior
Kenny Scott is the lone returning starter
here for a revamped secondary that, surprisingly,
is neither young nor inexperienced. At 6’2”,
Scott proves effective versus the best ACC
WRs, and comes up with big plays at all
the right times. Jamal Lewis seems to have
the other corner slot secured. Either can
be left alone outside, and quality open
field tackling from both makes opposing
RBs unable to easily take the corner(s).
The safety slots may not hold up as well,
with two new starters in junior Djay Jones
and senior Joe Gaston. They replace all-ACC
guys, so expect some drop off early. But
both have experience in Tech’s schemes
and have shown physicality (via excellent
special teams play). Gaston can really do
damage in coverage, and Jones as eighth
man in the box will compliment the run-stopping
efforts well. Safety depth isn’t as
good, so injuries here could have major
impact on the Yellow Jackets’ D. With
such a good front seven, this unit will
be tested early and must keep the play in
front of them until they gel, or they will
get burnt often.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Tech’s
defense returns most of their two-deep roster,
and after finishing ranked nationally in
the top 25 in most major categories, expectations
can be for an even better showing, except
in pass defense. This team relies on the
D to bail out the inconsistencies of Reggie
Ball, and they will again respond in kind
– week-in and week-out, they can keep
the Yellow Jackets from hard losses (only
Virginia Tech and Utah took them to the
shed in ’05) and can actually win
games. The only possible hole in this defense
is the deep middle, with two new starters
at safety and one at MLB. Foes would be
smart to send multiple WRs and TEs in this
area until GT proves they have the cohesive
effort(s) to stop such. And if an opposing
team can run up the gut and pull eight into
the box, it will be that much easier to
do everything. This is a fast, undersized
group (for a BCS-aligned school) that has
the speed and toughness to work well as
a unit for optimum results (29% conversion
for opponent’s third-downs proves
much). But Tech was down collectively by
an aggregate score of 145-113 by halftime
– the offense just has to give them
some halftime leads and these guys can then
hold on.
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|
LB
KaMichael Hall
|
|
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GEORGIA
TECH 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Darrell
Robertson-Jr (6-5, 240) |
Michael
Johnson-So (6-7, 245) |
DT |
Darryl
Richard-So (6-4, 285) |
Elris
Anyaibe-So (6-3, 265) |
DT |
Joe
Anoai-Sr (6-3, 280) |
Vance
Walker-So (6-2, 260) |
DE |
Adamm
Oliver-Jr (6-4, 265) |
Brad
Sellers-Fr (6-2, 265) |
OLB |
KaMichael
Hall-Sr (6-0, 225) |
Matt
Braman-So (6-3, 232) |
MLB |
Philip
Wheeler-So (6-2, 225) |
Travis
Chambers-Jr (5-11, 220) |
OLB |
Gary
Guyton-Jr (6-2, 230) |
Taalib
Tucker-So (6-1, 233) |
CB |
Jamal
Lewis-Jr (6-0, 190) |
Pat
Clark-Jr (5-11, 185) |
CB |
Kenny
Scott-Sr (6-2, 185) |
Avery
Roberson-Jr (6-2, 190) |
SS |
Joe
Gaston-Sr (5-11, 195) |
Sam
Williams-Sr (5-11, 195) |
FS |
Djay
Jones-Jr (6-1, 200) |
Jake
Blackwood-Fr (6-1, 178) |
P |
Durant
Brooks-Jr (6-1, 198) |
Mohamed
Yahiaoui-So (5-11, 215) |
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2006
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
Former freshman all-American (and Lou Groza Award
semifinalist) Travis Bell has to come out of his
sophomore slump for Tech to win those close ones
(lost the N.C. State game early and never got
his groove back). After making 20-of-22 tries
in his first 14 games, he is a dismal 6-of-15
since. He was still 7-of-10 inside the 40 in ‘05.
Look for Bell to be back amongst the nation’s
elite. Mohamed Yahiaoui is the right leg to stay
on as KO specialist. Kick coverage has to step
up, and with defensive depth at the ready, things
should improve here, too.
Punter
JUCO-transfer Durant Brooks brings a lofty résumé
and two years of eligibility, but hasn’t
seen I-A quality pressure in his face. Big-legged
Yahiaoui can step in if needed. Control is the
goal for winning field position battles, so we
will not know what to expect from net results
until September.
Return
Game
Backup CB Pat Clark failed to impress the coaching
staff (6.4 yards per PR; his longest was 20 yards),
so the slot has been declared up for grabs, even
after spring ball was finished. Rashaun Grant
seems the heir-apparent for KR duties, but newbies
Corey Earls (4.36 speed) and Jamaal Evans have
turned heads. Again, we will report any progress
here if decisions are made.
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